Thoracic & Lumbar

Question 1

Which vertebra is typically the vertebral prominence?

Answer 1

Usually C7, more common in females

But it can also be T1, more common in males

Question 2

Which spinous process is at the root of the scapular spine?

Answer 2

T3

Question 3

Which vertebra has the largest spinous process?

Answer 3

T4

Question 4

Which spinous process is at the inferior angle of scapula when patient is PRONE?

Answer 4

T6

Question 5

Which spinous process is at the inferior angle of scapula when patient is SEATED?

Answer 5

T7

Question 6

Which vertebrae are imbricated?

Answer 6

T5-T8

Question 7

Which spinous processes are closest together?

Answer 7

T9/T10

Question 8

Which spinous process is the first to be “blade like”?

Answer 8

L1

Question 9

Which vertebra is directly medial to the iliac crests?

Answer 9

L4

Question 10

Which vertebra has the smallest spinous process?

Answer 10

L5

Question 11

Where is the transverse process of T1-T3 located?

Answer 11

Up one interspinous space and one inch lateral to spinous

Question 12

Where is the transverse process of T4 located?

Answer 12

At level of the spinous process above (T3) and one inch lateral to spinous

Question 13

Where is the transverse process of T5-T9 located?

Answer 13

Up two interspinous spaces and one inch lateral to spinous

Question 14

Where is the transverse process of T10 located?

Answer 14

At level of the spinous process above (T9) and 3/4 inch lateral to spinous

Question 15

Where is the transverse process of T11-T12 located?

Answer 15

Up one interspinous space and 1/2 inch lateral to spinous

Question 16

Where is the MAMMILLARY process of L1-L5 located?

Answer 16

Up on interspinous space and 3/8 inch lateral to spinous

Question 17

Which interspinous spaces are empty?

Answer 17

T8/T9 & T9/T10

Question 18

Lumbar Extension

Answer 18

SCP=Inferior tip of spinous process
CP=Finger tip of digit 2 or 3 (Extension is the only one you can’t use thumb in lumbar)
Doctor Stance=Doesn’t matter what side you stand on
Movt=Spinous process should approximate. Loss of end feel indicates fixation.

Question 19

Lumbar Rotation

Answer 19

SCP=Inferior/lateral aspect of spinous process
CP=Fingertip of digit 1,2, or 3
Doctor Stance=Stand on side being tested
Movt=Spinous process should rotate lateral. Loss of rotation indicates fixation.

Question 20

Lumbar Lateral Rotation

Answer 20

SCP=Inferior/lateral aspect of spinous process
CP=Fingertip of digit 1,2 or 3
Doctor Stance=Stand on side being tested
Movt=Spinous should deviate lateral and slightly superior. Loss indicates fixation.

Question 21

Thoracic Extension

Answer 21

SCP=Inferior tip of spinous process
CP=Fingertip of digit 2 or 3 (Extension is the only thoracic movt that you can’t use thumb)
Doctor Stance=Doesn’t matter what side you stand on
Movt=Spinous process should approximate. Loss of end feel indicates fixation

Question 22

Thoracic Rotation

Answer 22

SCP=Inferior/lateral aspect of spinous process
CP=Fingertip of digit 1,2, or 3
Patient Placement=”Genie up”
Doctor Stance=Stand on side being tested
Movt=Spinous process should rotate later. Loss of end feel indicates fixation.

Question 23

Thoracic Lateral Bend

Answer 23

SCP=Inferior/lateral aspect of spinous process
CP=Fingertip of digit 1,2, or 3
Patient Placement=”Genie up”
Doctor Stance=Stand on side being tested
Movt=Spinous should deviate later and slightly superior. Loss indicates fixation.

Question 24

Which two thoracolumbar motions require patient to “genie up”?

Answer 24

Thoracic extension and rotation

Question 25

Spinous Wiggle

Answer 25

SCP=Mammillary process (Lumbars) or transverse process (thoracic), and equivalent spinous process
CP=Thumb pads
Direction of pressure applied=tissue pull lateral to medial for both thumbs, but only apply posterior to anterior pressure on thumb over transverse or mammillary process (inferior hand)
Movt=Spinous process should deviate away from thumb. If there is no movt, there’s a fixation.

Question 26

P-A Central Vertebral Pressure

Answer 26

SCP=Prominent portion of spinous process
CP=Hook of hamate
Doctor Stance=Stand in close to which ever side you prefer.
Movt=Segments will glide anteriorly and feel springy with no pain. If not, fixation.

Question 27

When doing P-A Central Vertebral Pressure, which segment is your arm completely perpendicular to (90degrees)?

Answer 27

T8